Articles tagged with Drug Legalization
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The UK's response to NPS deaths highlights the importance of international cooperation and domestic legislation in reducing harm. Effective controls implemented in producing countries, such as China, were associated with larger reductions in NPS detections than controls introduced solely within consuming countries.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that opioid consumption intensity varies enormously across different populations and contexts. The study suggests that tracking average intensities of use could improve our understanding of consumption patterns and inform drug policy and treatment strategies.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University found that illegally manufactured fentanyl primarily enters the US via counties along the Canadian border. The analysis revealed these counties accounted for over 40% of large fentanyl seizures in 2023-2024, despite comprising only 3.1% of the national population. This finding undermines eff...
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs suggests that mandatory warning signs at cannabis dispensaries may not be effective in deterring pregnant users. In fact, many participants reported distrust towards the content of the warnings, viewing them as stigmatizing or negative. The researchers interviewed 34 ...
The study found a significant decrease in the percentage of adolescents reporting current marijuana use, from 23.1% in 2011 to 15.8% in 2021. Marijuana use was most prevalent among 12th graders, with a notable decline in usage rates across all grades.
A new poll shows that 21% of people aged 50 and older used cannabis in the past year, with 12% using it at least monthly. The study highlights potential risks of cannabis use, including risky driving and addiction, as well as the importance of discussing its use with healthcare providers.
A new study found that the rate of cannabis-related disorders diagnosed among pregnant women in Québec increased by more than 20% after the enactment of the Cannabis Act. The average number of CRD diagnoses per month jumped from 14.5 to 23.5 per 100,000 pregnant women.
A new qualitative research project explores young adults' (18-30) leisure motivations for using cannabis, revealing a shift towards viewing it as a recreational activity. Participants describe cannabis as offering a leisure state of mind and a way to enhance socialization and pleasurable experiences.
Recreational marijuana legalization in US states is associated with a 9% increase in college freshmen enrollments, primarily driven by out-of-state students. The study found no negative impact on degree completion or graduation rates.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University found a growing share of cannabis consumers report daily or near-daily use, exceeding those of daily and near-daily alcohol drinkers. Long-term trends in cannabis use parallel corresponding changes in US policy over 43 years.
A study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research found that approximately 60% of women with disabilities perceive no risk associated with weekly cannabis use. Women with disabilities are more likely to view cannabis as harmless than those without disabilities, highlighting the need for effective screening and dissuasion strategies.
A nationally representative US survey found appreciable Δ8-THC use prevalence among adolescents. States without marijuana legalization or existing Δ8-THC regulations have higher prevalence rates, highlighting the need for surveillance and policy efforts.
A recent study found that recreational marijuana laws are associated with a 10% rise in workplace injuries among individuals aged 20-34, likely due to impaired cognitive function and care. The study suggests that these laws may have unintended consequences for worker safety.
Seizures of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound found in psychedelic mushrooms, have surged by 369% across the US since 2017, according to a new study. The highest number of seizures were recorded in the Midwest and West regions, with nearly quadrupled amounts of seized drugs.
A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research found that 12% of people aged 50-80 have consumed a THC-containing substance in the past year. Those who drink alcohol at risky levels have a higher rate of cannabis use, highlighting the need for education and screening for older adults.
A 20-year Australian study found no evidence that cannabis reduces illicit opioid use, and its effectiveness in managing opioid crisis is uncertain. The researchers suggest that clinicians and policymakers should exercise caution when relying on cannabis as a solution.
Research at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting found that marijuana smokers are 12 times more likely to develop centrilobular emphysema compared to non-smokers. Combined marijuana and cigarette smoking increased the risk of breathing difficulties and other serious respiratory symptoms.
A Rutgers study found that states with legalized medical marijuana experience a 0.5 to 1.5 percentage point decrease in regular nonmedical prescription opioid use among people who reported using opioids in the previous year. However, this reduction is concentrated in individuals with cannabis addiction, highlighting the need for compre...
A recent study found that Oregon middle school students received office discipline referrals for substance use offenses 30% more often after recreational marijuana legalization. Schools with nearby marijuana outlets showed the most significant increase in ODRs.
A recent study found that areas with local retail availability of legalized marijuana have higher rates of marijuana and alcohol co-use among high school students. The study suggests that 'greater retail availability may normalize' marijuana use for young people, even if they can't purchase it directly from retail businesses.
A new study by UCSF researchers has found that people who use both cannabis and tobacco have significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety than those who use either substance alone or not at all. The study analyzed data from 53,843 Americans and found that among dual users, 26.5% reported anxiety and 28.3% reported depression.
An Oregon State University study found that young adults not in college became more frequent users of cannabis and met criteria for cannabis use disorder after state legalization. The prevalence of frequent cannabis use increased by 5 percentage points among non-college young adults, while college students saw a smaller increase.
A new study finds that de facto decriminalization of drug possession in Baltimore led to significant reductions in low-level drug-related arrests, mainly among the Black community. However, racial disparities persisted, with the ratio of street arrests in Black residents increasing after the policy change.
A study of 6.6 million individuals found a significant association between cannabis use disorder and an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder and unipolar depression. The findings may inform policies regarding cannabis use control.
Researchers at Rutgers University propose a new approach to accurately diagnosing cannabis use disorder, particularly for individuals who use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The current diagnostic manual may misdiagnose these individuals due to the rapid increase in state-level legalization of medical marijuana.
Researchers found that clinicians ordered more frequent newborn drug tests for Black newborns after recreational cannabis legalization, highlighting concerns about structural racism and disproportionate testing. The study calls for further exploration of how institutional racism affects healthcare outcomes for Black families.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found a sharp increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among California adults ages 65 and older from 2005 to 2019. The rate increased by 1,808%, with more than 12,000 visits reported in 2019.
A national US study found a 245% increase in child marijuana abuse and a decline in alcohol abuse over the past 20 years. The study tracked intentional misuse and abuse reported to the National Poison Data System from 2000 to 2020, revealing over 338,000 instances of child abuse or misuse.
A new national study found pregnant women in legalized US states are far more likely to use cannabis, with a 4.6 times higher rate compared to CBD-only states. The study emphasizes the need for prenatal and primary care providers to screen and counsel patients regarding cannabis use in pregnancy.
Research found that states legalizing recreational cannabis saw a slight increase in alcohol consumption, particularly among young adults and men. The study suggests that targeted public health messaging and policy interventions can mitigate problem drinking. However, the impact of long-term effects on binge or heavy drinking is unclear.
Researchers from the University of Connecticut found that both delta-8 and delta-9 THC produce similar effects in mice, including lethargy and catalepsy. The study suggests that delta-8 THC interacts with the same receptors as delta-9 THC and can lead to desensitization and withdrawal-like symptoms.
A study by Washington State University found a 37% drop in poisoning reports for illicit synthetic cannabinoids in states with legal recreational or
Research found a 5.8% increase in traffic crash injuries and a 4.1% increase in fatal crash rates after legalization. States with retail sales saw an initial jump in injury crash rate before it decreased.
A new study of over 20,000 Americans found that state legalization of recreational cannabis leads to increased cannabis use, especially among young people. The study suggests that this could have detrimental health effects, including impaired respiratory function and cardiovascular disease.
A study found that higher prices and inconvenience associated with legal sources drove consumers to purchase cannabis from illegal providers. The main reasons cited by respondents were legal sources being too expensive and inconvenient, with convenience being the second-highest factor.
This case series examined changes in buprenorphine prescribing waivers during COVID-19. The number of clinicians receiving waivers increased significantly before and during the pandemic, indicating a growing need for expanded access to opioid treatment.
A study by Cornell researchers found that recreational marijuana access significantly decreases prescriptions for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis, and seizures in state Medicaid programs. This reduction could lead to significant cost savings for state Medicaid programs.
A study by Columbia University found that recreational cannabis laws led to increased past-year and past-month cannabis use among Hispanic, Other and non-Hispanic white individuals, but not among non-Hispanic Black people or those aged 12-20. The researchers also highlighted persistent racial disparities in cannabis arrests and incarce...
The study found that the legal cannabis market increased significantly in Canada, with twice as many stores concentrated in low-income neighborhoods compared to high-income areas. Jurisdictions with private retail models saw a 913% increase in store growth, while public models saw a 75% increase.
A study by Virginia Commonwealth University found that cancer patients reported lower rates of marijuana use between 2013 and 2018, with only 9% using the substance. Higher pain levels and certain demographics were linked to increased marijuana use in this population.
Cannabis legalization would reduce arrests and address disparities, but also pose challenges to social equity efforts. Expunging convictions for BIPOC individuals could benefit hundreds of thousands, while promoting equity in the cannabis industry might help a few dozen.
Research by international experts recommends decriminalizing all illicit drugs, including crack cocaine and heroin, as a matter of urgency. The 'war on drugs' disproportionately targets Black communities, damaging communities and violating human rights.
A new study from the University of Washington found that teens may be more likely to use marijuana following legalization due to increased adult use and store proliferation. The study's lead author notes that early use during adolescence can have negative health consequences, making it concerning that teen use may be going up.
A recent study mapping international drug use by analyzing wastewater from over 60 million people in 120 cities worldwide reveals significant regional variations. Methamphetamine dominated North American and Australasian cities, while cocaine use was high in southern and western Europe.
A study found that regular cannabis users require significantly higher doses of sedatives like fentanyl and propofol for routine procedures. This may lead to increased risk of adverse side effects due to dose-dependent side effects.
If cannabis use increases after legalization, the Canadian government should alter its act to prevent negative health effects, according to an editorial. The Government of Canada must be vigilant in tracking cannabis usage and provide adequate funding for research into harms.
The international drug control treaties are under scrutiny as more countries legalize cannabis, leading to calls for policy reform. Professor Wayne Hall suggests a cautious approach to reform, advocating for incremental liberalization of drug policies through trials and evaluations.
The current federal legal status of marijuana is a major barrier to research and regulation. Reclassifying cannabis as a less dangerous substance would make it easier for scientists to study its medical benefits and untangle regulations. This could lead to safer pesticides being tested on legal crops.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the complex origins of drug policies that have inspired murderous violence in Mexico and the US. By examining the history of drugs in Latin America, researchers offer new perspectives on how societies have dealt with drugs and their cultural significance.
Researchers analyzed over 7.6 million tweets about marijuana, finding that 77% were pro-pot, while only 5% were anti-marijuana. Pro-pot tweets often encouraged use and made claims about health benefits, reaching a large audience of young people at risk for substance abuse.
Legalizing marijuana in California could lead to a significant drop in prices, with estimates suggesting a reduction of up to 80%. This, in turn, could result in increased consumption as prices fall below those ever studied. The magnitude of the consumption increase is uncertain, but researchers predict it could be substantial.
A Belgian-Dutch study found that the use of life-ending drugs without explicit patient request occurred in 1.8% of deaths in Flemish Belgium. The majority of these cases involved elderly patients or those in irreversible comas, with discussion with families and healthcare professionals often present.
A University of Alberta study found that middle-class Canadians use marijuana for relaxation and focus, challenging criminalization. The study suggests decriminalization and legalization could reduce crime and generate revenue.